Chiefs get lefty pitcher Helisek down from Palm Beach

PEORIA -- The Peoria Chiefs got lefty pitcher Kyle Helisek down from high-A Palm Beach on Monday, while Peoria reliever Josh Lucas was sent down to short-season State College in a pair of moves by the St. Louis Cardinals.

Helisek was immediately placed into the rotation, and took the mound Monday against Kane County at Dozer Park.

He was 5-6 with a 3.80 ERA in 18 starts at Palm Beach this season, where he walked 34 and struck out 56. Among those 18 starts were three one-hitters, all in stints of at least six innings.

The 6-foot-6, 185-pound Lucas, meanwhile, pitched at high-A Palm Beach in May, came to the Chiefs in the Midwest League, and now moves down another level to State College.

He made 23 starts for the Chiefs last season in the Midwest League, putting together a 7-7 record with a 3.13 ERA, 42 walks and 101 strikeouts in 129 1/3 innings.

Lucas made 8 appearances for Peoria, and departs with a 6.23 ERA. In 8 2/3 innings, he allowed 3 homers and an opposing batting average of .359.

Peoria opens a seven-game homestand at Dozer Park on Monday against Cubs affiliate Kane County, and then Wisconsin, the latter dueling with Peoria for a second-half playoff spot.

Dave Eminian covers the Chiefs and Rivermen for the Journal Star. Reach him at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. CHeck out his sports blog, Cleve's World, at pjstar.com and follow him on Tout and Twitter @icetimecleve.